Biography

• PhD in Education at University of York from 2019 - present
• MA of Education with First Class Honours at University of Waikato, New Zealand from 2014 – 2016
• Graduate Diploma of Teaching at University of Waikato in 2013
• First State Exam of Teaching at University of Education Schwaebisch Gmuend, Germany from 2009 – 2012

Research

PhD title: Young people’s participation in new citizenship contexts and the role of citizenship education: A mixed-methods case study from a rural community in Germany

My PhD research explores young people’s citizenship activities at school, beyond school, and in new citizenship contexts. In addition, I explore the value of citizenship education in shaping these activities. I collected data from teachers and Year 8-10 students at one rural middle school in Germany, using a mixed methods case study approach. The methods I used included researcher-led focus groups, student-led focus groups, a student questionnaire, teacher interviews and a curriculum analysis. Data was analysed using descriptive statistical analysis and thematic analysis.

One outcome of this research is to develop a conceptual framework of new citizenship contexts relevant to young people and rural contexts. In addition, I hope to explain how citizenship education content, pedagogy and other school factors may support young people to take up citizenship activities.

Supervisor: Dr Eleanor Brown

Publications & Presentations

Publications

 Suppers, J. (2021). Review of the book Young People and the Struggle for Participation: Contested Practices, Power and Pedagogies in Public Spaces by A. Walther, J. Batsleer, P. Loncle and A. Pohl (eds) Citizenship Teaching and Learning, 16(2), 285-286.

Hunter, P., & Rack, J. (2016). Advancing young citizens’ political literacy through social sciences curricula. Research Information for Teachers SET: Special Issue Civics, Citizenship and Political Literacy, 3, 23-28

Presentations

 Suppers, J. (2022). Young people’s citizenship activities at school – Preliminary results of original research from a rural secondary school in Germany. Paper presented at the Political Studies Association Annual International Conference, held at the University of York

Hosoda, C. & Suppers, J. (2022). Practical application of Westheimer and Kahne’s citizen typology with qualitative data. Paper presented at the Political Studies Association Annual International Conference, held at the University of York

Suppers, J. (2021). Are Young People Engaged in New and DIY Citizenship Activities? - Preliminary Results of Original Research with Year 8-10 Students from a German Secondary School. Paper presented at the ECPR General Conference, held online

Suppers, J. (2021). Young people’s citizenship activities in a changing democracy – Initial results of original research with Year 8-10 students from a German secondary school. Paper presented at the Political Studies Association Annual International Conference, held online

Suppers, J. (2021). Turning obstacles into opportunities: Engaging secondary school students in conversations using online focus groups. Paper presented at the 15^th Research Students' Education Conference: Research in Challenging Times by the University of Leeds, held online (https://tinyurl.com/4xmue7dm)

Rack, J. (2015). Initiating political conversations with young New Zealanders: Preliminary findings of a master’s thesis on political participation of year 11 students. Paper presented at the Annual Social Sciences Conference: Creating Collegial Connections INSPIRING TEACHERS! in Nelson

Rack, J. (2014). The role of year 10 social studies classes to engage young New Zealanders in politics. Paper presented at the New Zealand Political Studies Association Annual Conference in Auckland

Teaching experience

• 5 years of teaching experience as a high school teacher in New Zealand and Germany, teaching social studies, geography, careers, science, and English as a second language (ESOL). Appointed as HOD for ESOL for 4 years.
• 9 years of teaching experience as a freelance ESOL tutor for students with different backgrounds and for various purposes including school, university, travel, and work.
• 1 year of tertiary teaching experience as an undergraduate teaching assistant

Convenor & Departmental Roles

• Postgraduate Convenor of the British Sociological Association (BSA) Youth Studies Group from October 2021 (ongoing)
• Centre for Research on Education and Social Justice (CRESJ) PhD student representative (2021-ongoing)
• Committee Member of the Central North Island Social Science Association (New Zealand) from March to December 2015